Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, right, talks with Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus at a Republican campaign office in Germantown, Wis., on Sunday, June 3, 2012. Walker and Priebus were rallying volunteers ahead of a recall election for Walker on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Dinesh Ramde)
Q: What started the effort to
recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker?
A:
The recall effort was born Feb. 11, 2011. That was when Walker released his
plan to address a state budget shortfall that called on most public workers to
pay more for health
insurance and pension
benefits, and, most important, give up nearly all their collective bargaining
rights. The proposal set the recall fire, led to protests that lasted weeks and
grew as large as 100,000 people. It motivated 14 Senate Democrats to flee the
state for three weeks in a vain attempt to stop the bill. Walker signed it into
law March 11 virtually unchanged from how he proposed it.
Q: Who's footing the bill for the
recall campaigns? Taxpayers? Or someone else?
A:
There has been much ado about all the campaign money flowing into Wisconsin from out of
state, and for good reason. The recall election has been unlike anything seen
before in Wisconsin, with at least $62 million spent by the candidates and
outside groups so far. Walker was the top spender at $29 million, with Democrats
including Barrett spending about $4 million. Outside groups have spent $21
million and issue ad groups that don't have to disclose their spending have put
in at least $7.5 million. That, of course, is donated money. Taxpayers are
anything but off the hook. The recall and a primary for it are special
elections that otherwise would not be held. State elections officials estimate
the cost of a statewide election to taxpayers is $9 million, for a total of $18
million.
Q. If someone does not like the
results, can there be another recall?
A.
Wisconsin law allows for recalls of anyone who has been in office for at least
a year. The winner will serve the remainder of Walker's current term, which
runs through 2014. Office holders can only stand for recall once per term, so
if Walker wins he will remain in office at least through 2014.
Q.
Will turnout be an indicator of an outcome?
A.
Turnout is key for both Walker and Barrett in a race that polls show has few
undecided voters. Walker must pull strongly from Republican parts of the state,
primarily in the conservative Milwaukee suburbs. Barrett needs to do well with
his base in Madison and Milwaukee and keep Walker's margin of victory low in
the Republican-leaning Fox Valley area around Green Bay. The election, if it's
close, could be won or lost based on how well the candidates do in western
Wisconsin in swing counties along the Mississippi border, as well as other
swing parts of the state like in Racine County south of Milwaukee.
Q.
What happens Wednesday?
A.
If Walker wins the recall, little will change. He will remain governor, and
Barrett will remain mayor of Milwaukee. However, if Barrett wins, Walker will
remain in office for only a short time. The state elections board has just 18
days to issue a certificate declaring the election results official. When
that's done, he is no longer governor. Source:
